they did, thought it was quite just and proper that they should be
treated badly. 'They are only slaves,' they said.

Among the passengers was a pretty little girl, about six years old. She
had beautiful golden hair, and big blue eyes. She ran about here, there,
and everywhere, dancing and laughing like a little fairy. There were
other children on board, but not one so pretty or so merry as she. She
was always dressed in white, and Tom thought she looked like a little
angel, as she danced and ran about.

Often and often she would come and walk sadly around the place where the
poor slaves sat in their chains. She would look pityingly at them, and
then go slowly away. Once or twice she came with her dress full of
sweets, nuts, and oranges, and gave them all some.

Tom watched the little lady, and tried to make friends with her. His
pockets were full of all kinds of things, with which he used to amuse
his old master's children.

He could make whistles of every sort and size, cut baskets out of
cherry-stones, faces out of nut-shells, jumping figures out of bits of
wood. He brought these out one by one, and though the little girl was
shy at first, they soon grew to be great friends.

'What is missy's name?' said Tom one day.

'Evangeline St. Clare,' said the little girl; 'though papa and everybody
else call me Eva. Now, what's your name?'

'My name's Tom. The little chil'en at my old home used to call me Uncle
Tom.'

'Then I mean to call you Uncle Tom, because, you see, I like you,' said
Eva. 'So, Uncle Tom, where are you going?'

'I don't know, Miss Eva.'

'Don't know?' said Eva.

'No. I'm going to be sold to somebody. I don't know who.'

'My papa can buy you, said Eva quickly. 'If he buys you you will have
good times. I mean to ask him to, this very day.'

'Thank you, my little lady,' said Tom.

Just at this moment, the boat stopped at a small landing-place to take
in some wood. Eva heard her father's voice, and ran away to speak to
him.

Tom too rose and walked to the side. He was allowed to go about now
without chains. He was so good and gentle, that even a man like Haley
could not help seeing that it could do no harm to let him go free.

Tom helped the sailors to carry the wood on the boat. He was so big and
strong that they were very glad to have his help.

[Illustration]

Eva and her father were standing by the railings as the boat once more
began to move. It had hardly left the landing-stage